Roma Victoria

It was the 8th of November 2007, we flew to Ciampino to show Victoria the sights of Rome.

Travelling from Liverpool we arrived at Ciampino airport in the evening, we had booked a hotel in the small town of Ciampino, the hotel was wheelchair friendly and as it turn out was about the only place in Rome which was, with the exception of the supreb Vatican museum.

Travelling into Rome every day on Trenitalia which was very cheap we saved hundreds of euros from the city centre hotels and the cost of food and drink in Rome. The big drawback was the railway station at Ciampino, no lifts and some of the trains required four or five steps up to them which made it all very interesting with the wheelchair, Victoria is only small, we managed but I would recommend anyone travelling to Rome with disabilities to do a lot of homework before you travel.

Four full days were spent in Rome, we visited all the main tourist sights and even managed to take Victoria to the city's Zoo. The highlights for me are the ones that Victoria enjoys, the Zoo was great, she also was happy to be in the Vatican museum but the Font de Trevi was the one that she seemed to enjoy the most.

Victoria's condition usually means a short lifespan, mid teens is the norm but we remain hopeful she will be with us for a lot longer, it is always satisfying to visit somewhere new with her. Previous trips include Cuba, Mauritius, Zakynthos, Cephalonia, Menorca, Paris Disneyland, Barcelona, Bremen, Florence, Pisa and Nantes.

Victoria or Vicky as she prefers is a fantastic Travbuddy and I will continue my quest to get her to travel as much as possible, we have not been able to travel with her in 2008 due to an operation she had in April however the travelling will resume and my ultimate goal is to return to Australia, this time with Vicky.